The daimyo (great lord) of Kai province,
and military general known for his brilliant military strategy,
political manipulations, and fierce fighting. At the height of
his power he controlled Kai, Shinano, Suruga, Kozuke, Totomi,
Mino, Hida and Mikawa provinces. Son of Nobutora, the provincial
governor of Kai province, and the daughter of O'i Nobutatsu. After chasing his father to exile
in Suruga province, and forming alliances, Shingen took control
over Shinano province. However, because of constant threats from
another brilliant military general Uesugi Kenshin, Takeda Shingen
gathered his troops to protect the northern region of Shinano.
Takeda's forces, known for being
the best horse riders in Japan, and Uesugi forces engaged in
battle at least five times at Kawanakajima without bringing the
fighting to a conclusion, and remaining in a draw. Later, Takeda
Shingen joined Oda Nobunaga's army,
but then changed his allegiance and fought against Nobunaga at
the battle of Honganji. In 1572, Takeda Shingen led his forces
to Mikatagahara to fight Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, due to illness
he suddenly died.